Test device for measuring a container response

Abstract

A test device can acquire interior temperature, interior pressure, and interior volume data on a container exposed to conditions in a test throughout the test and can be used with a computer system.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0001] 1. Field of the Invention [0002] The present invention relates to a test device for measuring the response of a container to imposed conditions, such as changes in temperature and pressure. [0003] 2. Description of the Related Art [0004] In packaging processes, for example, food packaging processes, a container may be filled with a hot material, e.g., a hot beverage. The container is then sealed. When the beverage cools to room temperature, the internal pressure within the container decreases. If the container is not properly designed, the differential between the internal pressure within the container and the ambient pressure around the container can result in deformation of the container. In other processes, a material may be filled into a container and a differential between the internal pressure within the container and the ambient pressure around the container imposed before the container is sealed. Alternatively, air or a product, for example...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0015] It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a test device that can accurately measure test conditions, such as the interior temperature and interior pressure of a container, and accurately measure a container response, for example a change in interior volume of the container, throughout a test, and can provide data in an electronic form to a computer system for data display, processing, or storage. Another object of the present invention is to provide computer software that can display, reformat, and store data received from a test device. Another object of the present invention is to provide computer software that can cause a computer system to predict the response of a container to a test executed with the test device. Another object of the present invention is to provide computer software that can cause a computer system to compare an actual response of a container to a predicted response. Another object of the present invention is to provide computer software that can cause a computer system to adjust simulation parameters or correct container parameter data, test condition data, or actual response data.

[0033] The method can further include providing a machine-accessible medium that contains trial data set training software code that, when executed by the at least one processor, can cause the computer system to perform the following steps. The computer system can execute the trial data set response prediction software code with the at least one processor at least once. The trial data set response prediction software code can cause the computer system to predict a change in interior volume of the at least one container for the at least one trial. The computer system can compare the predicted change in interior volume of the at least one container with the measured change in interior volume of the container data for the at least one trial at least once. The computer system can train itself by using at least one comparison in order to improve the accuracy of the computer system in predicting the change in interior volume of the at least one container for the at least one trial when the at least one processor executes the trial data set response prediction software code.

Problems solved by technology

If the container is not properly designed, the differential between the internal pressure within the container and the ambient pressure around the container can result in deformation of the container.

The continuous or intermittent low pressure inside the container resulting from these processes can result in deformation of the container.

To make a new prototype, a new mold must be designed and manufactured, which is time consuming and expensive.

Several prototypes may need to be made during the course of designing a new container, and the making of the prototypes can represent a large fraction of the cost of and delay the successful design of a new container.

The cost of the design of a new container is passed on to the customer, and thus may hamper a container manufacturer's competitiveness.

Furthermore, the ability of a manufacturer to respond quickly to a customer's needs may be impeded.

The ability to obtain accurate data on the dimensions of a container can be limited, for example, because the thickness of a container wall in regions of the container with tight curves or restrictions can be difficult to measure.

The mechanical properties of the material used can also be difficult to determine accurately and completely, especially by a container manufacturer who may not have the specialized measurement devices required.

Although this small amount of data can confirm or deny the accuracy of a computer simulation, the utility of the data in guiding a designer in modifying the design is limited.

For example, how the interior pressure in the container varied during the test remains unknown, impeding the ability of the designer to set up a realistic simulation.

The mechanical properties of materials used in containers often depend on temperature; therefore, the absence of data on the variation of temperature in the interior of a container further impedes the setting up of a realistic simulation.

Because only the change in interior volume of the container at the end of the test is known, and not throughout the test, the designer's ability to evaluate the simulation is impeded.

In addition to hampering the evaluation of a simulation, the limited nature of the data also constrains a designer's ability to identify failure modes of a container during a test and therefore constrains the designer's ability to envision a better design.

However, such manual adjustment of simulation parameters can require that a designer or a designer's colleague be skilled in the art of numerical simulation of physical processes; such skill in numerical simulation may not be present at a container manufacturer.

Furthermore, the large number of variables present in the test condition data or container parameter data can render a designer's task of determining which variables to correct and the degree of correction required difficult or impractical.

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